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There are two procedures used to treat carotid artery disease. The standard surgical procedure is carotid endarterectomy (CEA), while the newer, minimally invasive endovascular intervention is called carotid artery angioplasty with stenting (CAS).

During CAS, a special catheter is inserted into the carotid artery to be treated. This catheter has a tiny balloon at its tip, which is inflated once the catheter has been placed into the narrowed area of the carotid artery.

The inflation of the balloon compresses the fatty tissue in the artery and makes a larger opening inside the artery for improved blood flow. A stent (a tiny, expandable metal coil) may be inserted into the newly-opened artery to help keep it from narrowing or closing again.

Because of the potential for clots to dislodge from the plaque into the circulation of the brain and possibly cause a stroke, there are now devices called embolic prevention devices (EPD) being used during CAS. One type of EPD has a filter-like basket attached to a catheter that is positioned in the artery to “catch” any clots or small debris that might break loose from the plaque during the procedure. This technique may help reduce the incidence of stroke during carotid angioplasty.

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